Music
Lydia Loveless
Rock Island Brewing Company
Saturday, August 23, 9 p.m.
Alternative-country musician Lydia Loveless is August 23's headliner at the Rock Island Brewing Company, and as a longtime resident of the city, I'm proud to say that her list of notable performances begins and ends in Rock Island.
Don't believe me? Check out the artist's Wikipedia page: Both the first and last inclusions in the "Notable Performances" section are recording sessions that took place at Rock Island's Daytrotter studio. Now she's playing RIBCO, where she also performed in June of 2012. Loveless? Hell, we sure seem to love her!
The 23-year-old Loveless grew up on a farm outside rural Coshocton, Ohio, before moving to Columbus at age 14 - the same age at which she sang and played guitar in Carson Drew, her first band. That ensemble also consisted of her father and two older sisters, and within a couple of years, producer David Rhodes Brown approached Loveless with the idea of recording a solo LP, a process that began in 2007 and concluded with the 2010 release of the young musician's The Only Man.
Armed with an album that PopMatters described as a "polished, throw-back-country-leaning breakthrough," Loveless' talents went on to capture attention at the South by Southwest Music Festival - notably that of the owners of Bloodshot Records, which, to date, has produced all of Loveless' subsequent recordings. Among them are 2011's Indestructible Machine, which SPIN magazine praised for the artist's "roaring vocals" and "utter lack of bullshit," and 2013's EP Boy Crazy, which AllMusic.com described as "further proof that Loveless is a major talent, and if her next album is as good as this, she may run the risk of becoming a very big star."
Consider the risk greater than ever. Loveless' most recent effort, this past February's Somewhere Else, entered Billboard's Heatseekers chart in the top 10, and the reviews she's received for it have been wildly effusive, with Rolling Stone stating that Loveless' vocals are like "Loretta Lynn and Patti Smith slamming shots as a Midwestern dive bar while cowboys and punks brawl out back." So plan on the same sort of experience when Loveless returns to Rock Island ... even though RIBCO isn't a dive ... and it's not known for cowboy/punk brawls ... and Loretta Lynn's not coming to the QCs 'til next month ... .
Lydia Loveless performs with opening sets by Twins and Iron Orchard, and more information on the concert is available by calling (309)793-4060 or visiting RIBCO.com.
Music
Parkypalooza
Rozz-Tox
Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30, 7 p.m.
Tom Parkinson's hardcore-rock band Relentless Approach, based in Omaha, Nebraska, has toured the Midwest for the past six years. And when the musician, who spends much time in the Quad Cities, had the idea to gather like-minded artists for a two-day music celebration, he chose Rock Island's Rozz-Tox to serve as host venue. But given the roster of performers involved in his August 29 and 30 event, what's resulted isn't just another area summer-music festival. It's a freakin' summertime palooza.
"Within the punk and hardcore community," says Parkinson of Rozz-Tox's forthcoming Parkypalooza, "festivals of this size are pretty common. And I noticed that the independent, DIY scene here in the Quad Cities was really growing. So I thought this would be a great way to bring in my friends that I had met while my band has been touring the Midwest - a lot of old friends, and a lot of new friends - and we could have a pretty fun time."
Given the lineup that Parkinson and Rozz-Tox proprietor Benjamin Fawks are presenting to fans, "pretty fun" might be low-balling it. In addition to sets by the local musicians of Meth & Goats, Cool Off, The Easy Mark, Lord Green, Straight Up, and Tong Po, August 29's evening will showcase Nebraska's Purgatory, Missouri's Ski Ma$k, and Iowa City's Maleficarum. Saturday, meanwhile, will boast sets by our area's King of Clubz, Ice Hockey, As You Were, and Kings; Chicago's Weekend Nachos, Hate, and Sick/Tired; Wisconsin's Deathwish and Wartorn; St. Louis' Bath House Boys; Nebraska's Feeder/Gainer; and Parkinson himself performing with Relentless Approach.
While Parkypalooza's bands will play both Rozz-Tox's main room and upstairs level, its organizer is holding off an announcing specific times or locations for the individual acts. "I do have a lineup kind of figured out," he says, "but up until the date, I'll probably be shuffling bands around. I do kind of want to discourage picking and choosing. I want people to come to all of it."
Adding that "Rozz-Tox is one of the best venues in the Quad Cities, and this really couldn't happen anywhere else in the Quad Cities," Parkinson is justifiably excited about Parkypalooza - if, perhaps, just a bit bashful about its name. "I don't know," he says. "I guess that was just the most appealing-sounding, for lack of a better one. I've been called Parky my whole life, so it's pretty fitting."
Tickets to Parkypalooza are $10 per night, and more information is available by visiting RozzTox.com.
Event
Polyrhythms' Jazz & Heritage Festival
Martin Luther King Park and The Redstone Room
Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24
Illinois and Iowa will be connected by more than a river and a few bridges (operational or not) on August 23 and 24, as the area organization Polyrhythms presents its Jazz & Heritage Festival, the inaugural presentation of what organizers hope will become an annual summertime event. Taking place in Rock Island's Martin Luther King Park on Saturday and Davenport's Redstone Room on Sunday, the "jazz" in the title is pretty self-explanatory. As for the "heritage" portion, musically speaking, it can pretty much be defined as "absolutely everything else."
A celebration of the indigenous music of those who helped form the Quad Cities' culture, from early Native Americans to present-day artists, the festival features a lineup that includes the Ernie Peniston Band, the Curtis Hawkins Band, Moretn Wa Byaombe, First Rank, the Kuchina Jazz Collective, and ETM on August 23, and the Daniel Leahy Quartet, the Langston Hughes Tribute, Laurence Hobgood, and acclaimed Chicago vocalist Tammy McCann (pictured) on Sunday. And through their music, Polyrhythms' Jazz & Heritage Festival will showcase styles encompassing blues, gospel, R&B, folk, country, and rap in a bi-state event many years in the making.
"We actually did festivals in 2002," says Polyrhythms organizer Nate Lawrence. "We did it in East Moline on a Friday, and we packed up and moved everything to Rock Island and did it in Franklin Field the next day. And we never did it since, because it turned out to be so much work." With a laugh, he continues, "We just didn't know enough about how to do a festival. But we always wanted to try it again, so we joined the [Mississippi Valley] Blues Society and talked to other people who did festivals, and so it finally came together again."
Describing Polyrhythms as "a grassroots, nonprofit group of community- and cultural-arts advocates," Lawrence says: "Everybody's history and their self-worth is in what's around them, and that's what we want to celebrate with our first really grand festival." And happily, Lawrence and Polyrhythms had a lot of friends who wanted to assist. "Tammy was very kind to us very early, and Daniel Leahy - people have just put their faith in us because we're no-nonsense and we believe in what we're doing. And we're really excited, because we have a great lineup."
Adding that "every day has been a new adventure" regarding the event's planning, Lawrence says: "The Jazz & Heritage Festival committee has been working hard to create and present an exciting festival. Now we just hope people will come so it can get bigger and bigger and bigger."
Festival hours are noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, and more information is available by visiting Polyrhythms.ning.com.
Music
Rock the Levee
Isle of Capri
Saturday, August 30, 7:30 p.m.
"Good morning, Mike."
"Well, good morning to you, Jeff! This is a surprise!"
"Mmm-hmm. I just wanted to see if you'd finished the What's Happenin's yet. I knew you were working on them today."
"Actually, I'm just finishing my last one: the article on August 30's Rock the Levee concert at the Isle of Capri! You know who's performing that show, right?!"
"I do. Send me those pages whenever you're done, and - ."
"I mean, the outdoor concert's opening set is going to be a lot of fun all by itself, because the Isle has booked the ABBA tribute act ABBAFab! With the song lineup sure to include such huge hits as 'Dancing Queen,' 'Waterloo,' 'Take a Chance on Me,' 'S.O.S.,' and 'The Winner Takes It All,' it'll be like seeing Mamma Mia! without all that plot and dialogue getting in the way!"
"Mmm-hmm. So just send me those articles as soon as - ."
"But wait'll you hear who Rock the Levee's headliners are! The Village People! Seriously! The legendary disco performers who released 'Macho Man,' 'In the Navy,' and 'Y.M.C.A.,' and who've sold more than 100 million albums worldwide!"
"Yeah, I was aware of that ... ."
"Lemme tell ya, I've learned so much about this group while working on this article! Did you know that 1978's Cruisin' and 1979's Go West were both platinum-sellers? That the Village People have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? That while there have been numerous turnovers in the band's membership over the years, Felipe Rose and Alex Briley have actually stayed with the Village People from 1977 to the present?"
"That I didn't know ... ."
"Between the group's history and their ridiculously catchy tunes, everyone's gonna wanna catch the Village People at the Isle of Capri! I'm so stoked about the event that I even came to work dressed as one of the guys!"
"So I assumed."
"Don't you want to know which one?"
"No. That's why I'm calling from home."
For more information on the Isle of Capri's August 30 Rock the Levee concert with the Village People and ABBAFab, call (563)265-6977 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com.
What Else Is Happenin' ...?
MUSIC
Thursday, August 21 - An Evening with Coco Montoya. Concert with the blues singer/songwriter and guitarist. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $17-20. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org. For a 2012 interview with Montoya, visit RCReader.com/y/coco.
Friday, August 22 - Mountain Sprout. Country musicians in concert, with an opening set by Lou Shields. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $10 advance tickets. For information, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.
Friday, August 22 - An Evening with Buckwheat Zydeco. Concert with the zydeco, blues, and roots musicians. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $22-25. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org. For a 2006 interview with Buckwheat Zydeco, visit RCReader.com/y/buckwheat.
Friday, August 22 - You, Me & Apollo and The Lonelyhearts. Independent rockers in concert. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rozz-Tox). 9 p.m. $10 at the door. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
Saturday, August 23 - Chris Isaak. Concert with the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and film and television star. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $39-59. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31 - The Travoltas. Annual outdoor Labor Day-weekend concerts with the disco-pop performers, featuring opening sets by Meet the Press on Saturday and Johnny Don't on Sunday. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. $12/night. For information, call (309)793-4060 or visit RIBCO.com.
Tuesday, September 2 - Driftwood Soldier. Concert with the independent "gutter folk" duo. Rozz-Tox (2108 Third Avenue, Rozz-Tox). 9 p.m. $5 at the door. For information, call (309)200-0978 or visit RozzTox.com.
THEATRE
Friday, August 22, through Sunday, August 31 - The Old Guy. Original comedy written by Thomas P. Johnson. Iowa Theatre Artists Company (4709 220th Trail, Amana). Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 2 p.m. $10-22.50. For tickets and information, call (319)622-3222 or visit IowaTheatreArtists.org.
Friday, August 22, and Saturday, August 23 - Bye Bye Birdie. Minimally staged benefit production of the musical comedy inspired by Elvis Presley's 1957 Army induction, directed by Richard Tiegs. Coralville Center for the Arts (1301 Fifth Street, Coralville). 7:30 p.m. $12-22. For tickets and information, call (319)248-9370 or visit CoralvilleArts.org.
Saturday, August 30 - Everything I Needed to Know I Learned from My Wife. Humor and marital insight with internationally touring comedian Rex Havens. Orpheum Theatre (57 South Kellogg Street, Galesburg). 7:30 p.m. $10-25. For tickets and information, call (309)342-2299 or visit TheOrpheum.org.
SPORTS
Saturday, August 23 - Quad City Rollers. Women's flat-track roller derby, featuring the All-Stars and the Mississippi Massacre. Davenport RiverCenter (136 East Third Street, Davenport). 6 p.m. $6-12. For tickets and information, call (563)326-8500 or visit QuadCityRollers.com.
Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31 - Rock Island Grand Prix. Annual Labor Day-weekend event featuring professional kart racing, live music, vendors, and family activities. District of Rock Island. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (309)788-6311 or visit RockIslandGrandPrix.com.
MOVIES
Thursday, August 21, through Sunday, August 24 - Landlocked Film Festival. Eighth-annual presentation of independent shorts, animated works, and documentaries in downtown Iowa City. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street), Iowa City Public Library (123 South Linn Street), and FilmScene (118 East College Street). $20 festival pass; individual films free to $5. For information, visit LandlockedFilmFestival.org.
VISUAL ARTS
Saturday, August 30, through Sunday, January 25 - Against the Grain: Wood Art from the Figge Collection. A selection of works from the Figge collection featuring pieces by Steve Sinner, Lane Phillips, Galan Carpenter, Harvey Fein, and Michael Mode. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArt.org.
EVENTS
Friday, August 22, and Saturday, August 23 - Princeton Days. Annual outdoor celebration featuring vendors, activities, a parade, and more. Downtown Princeton, Iowa. Free admission. For information, visit PrincetonDays.PrincetonIowa.us.
Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24 - 2014 Antique Tractor Show. Annual event featuring tractor rides and themed events, a petting zoo, live entertainment, children's activities, and more. Village of East Davenport. Free admission. For information, visit VillageOfEastDavenport.com.
Saturday, August 23 - Paddlefest 2014: Rockin' and Ridin'. Third-annual street festival featuring a noon poker run for Papa's Helping Vets ($20/bike includes cover charge), 6 p.m. outdoor food, and an 8 p.m. concert with House Arrest. Paddlewheel Sports Bar & Grill (221 15th Street, Bettendorf). $5 cover. For information, call (563)344-9646.
Saturday, August 23 - Barrel House Moline One-Year Anniversary Party. Indoor and outdoor celebration with drink specials and sets with Corporate Rock at 11 a.m., The Harris Connection at 3 p.m., Rude Punch at 7 p.m., and DJ Joe at 10 p.m. Barrel House Moline (1321 Fifth Avenue, Moline). No cover. For information, call (309)517-1973 or visit BarrelHouse211.com.
Saturday, August 23 - Silvis Moonlight. Thirteenth-annual event themed "The Magical World of Childhood," featuring a parade, live music, children's activities, craft and food vendors, a bike rodeo, the Rush Hour dancers, magician Rick Eugene, and more. Silvis Railway Park (10th Street and First Avenue, Silvis). Noon-10 p.m. Free admission. For information, call (309)792-1769.
Sunday, August 24 - QC Ride for the Cure. Seventh-annual fundraising motorcycle ride with proceeds benefiting Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities. Jumer's Casino & Hotel (777 Jumer Dive, Rock Island). 9 - 11 a.m. sign in; last bike back by 5 p.m. For information, call (563)326-7504 or visit GildasClubQC.org.
Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 2 - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Built to Amaze. All-new traveling-circus presentation with "The Greatest Show on Earth." i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.; Sunday 1 and 5 p.m.; Monday 1 p.m. $13-66. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.
